Bottled on date of 4/6/2012, so it's about 14 months old at this point. Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a snifter.

A - Pours a caramelized, reddish-amber color. Only about half of a finger of off-white head emerges, and even that fades away within seconds. Remnants of sticky lacing, which surprises me given the overall lack of foam.

S - Deep caramelly sweetness, with a definite presence of dark fruits. There is also a mild spiciness, reminiscent of raisins or almost like a bread pudding. Still some bitter hop aromas present as well, but they are definitely taking a back seat here.

T - The taste largely follows the smell, but with an even more pronounced emphasis on the sweetness. A very pleasant saccharine quality from the caramelized malts transitions to a bit of a boozy alcohol aftertaste that has a pleasant warming finish.

M - A relatively full mouthfeel, with more carbonation than the appearance would let on. A finish that straddles the line between sticky and dry that is more drinkable than the 10.2% ABV should allow.

O - Although I have never had this beer fresh, I highlight recommend it with a little over a year of age on it. This brew is very balanced, with a sweet & slightly boozy mix that will be enjoyed for at least the next hour of sipping.

Mouthfeel: Full and chewy with a bit too much alcohol warming. Low to moderate carbonation.

Overall Impression: Although a little rough immediately after bottling, this beer improved dramatically after aging, even for a short time. I really wish I would have had the patience to age it longer. It falls somewhere between a traditional English Old Ale and a hoppy American Barleywine and manages to remain surprisingly balanced. Intense booziness is my biggest criticism, but this beer would still be fantastic on a cold winter day.